On January 18, 2017, the Accelerated Reading Awards were handed out to the Annapolis Lower School students. Students in Grades 2-5 read books independently and then take a comprehension quiz on the book. Points are collected for reading and passing quizzes. Then, once a quarter, prizes are handed out in a special assembly. This year’s theme is Wacky Road Trip, so the prizes include a crazy cow squirt toy, an animal paddle ball game, a treasure chest, and even gift certificate for kid’s meals at local restaurants. One top prize is lunch out with the principal and your picture with Lightning, the library mascot. Top winners this quarter were from 5th grade and the top class was 2nd grade.

The following week, January 23, 2017 students in 3rd – 5th grade at the Lower School in Severn were rewarded for the Accelerated Reader (AR)points they had earned in the second quarter. Students were given individual point goals to reach, and every student who reached their goal earned the opportunity to take part in a pizza party at lunch. Each quarter, students have the opportunity to earn a party based on their AR reading goals. In quarter 1, students had a Sundae Reading party and were able to earn scoops of ice cream and toppings for an ice cream sundae. At the end of the quarter, they get to eat what they had earned at an ice cream sundae party. In quarter 3, they will earn donuts and extra recess, and in quarter 4 they will do ice cream sundaes again. The kids really enjoy keeping track of their progress towards their personal reading goals, and of course eating their rewards.